Frequently Asked Questions

Injury Treatment, Pain Management & Recovery in Southern California

At Southern California Injury Treatment Center, patients often arrive with questions after injury, chronic pain, or unresolved symptoms. Below are answers to the most common and most searched questions about multidisciplinary injury care, diagnostics, treatment options, and recovery.

1. What type of injuries does a multidisciplinary injury treatment center treat?

A multidisciplinary injury treatment center treats a wide range of conditions including accident-related injuries, chronic pain, spine and joint conditions, nerve injuries, concussions, balance disorders, and degenerative issues. Care is coordinated across specialties so neurological, orthopedic, and pain-related contributors are addressed together rather than in isolation.

2. How is a multidisciplinary approach different from seeing one specialist?

A multidisciplinary approach means multiple specialists collaborate on your care within one coordinated system. Instead of fragmented opinions, diagnostics and treatment decisions are aligned, reducing delays, duplicate testing, and conflicting recommendations while improving accuracy and outcomes.

3. Do I need a referral to be seen at an injury treatment center?

In many cases, no referral is required, especially for pain management, injury evaluation, or diagnostic testing. Some insurance plans may require a referral for certain services, which can be confirmed during scheduling.

4. How do you determine the root cause of pain or symptoms?

Root causes are identified through a combination of detailed medical history, physical examination, neurological assessment, and advanced diagnostics such as EMG/NCS, VNG testing, or imaging review. This allows treatment to target why symptoms are happening—not just where they hurt.

5. What if my MRI or imaging came back “normal” but I still have symptoms?

Normal imaging does not always mean nothing is wrong. Many nerve, balance, and post-injury conditions are functional rather than structural. Advanced diagnostics and neurological evaluation are often necessary to identify issues that standard imaging can miss.

6. Can you help if I’ve already tried physical therapy or injections elsewhere?

Yes. Many patients seek care after conservative treatments fail to provide lasting relief. A comprehensive reevaluation can uncover missed contributors and open the door to alternative therapies, advanced procedures, or more precise interventions.

7. Do you treat car accidents and personal injury cases?

Yes. At SCITC, we evaluate and treat patients injured in car accidents, work-related incidents, slip-and-fall injuries, and other trauma-related events. Our compassionate, patient-centered care includes diagnostics, documentation, and coordination with legal or insurance processes when appropriate.

8. How long does injury recovery usually take?

Recovery timelines vary based on injury severity, duration, underlying health, and treatment approach. Some patients improve within weeks, while others require longer-term care. Early and accurate diagnosis significantly improves recovery outcomes.

9. Are treatments focused on pain relief or long-term recovery?

Both. Short-term pain relief is important, but treatment plans prioritize long-term recovery, functional improvement, and preventing recurrence. This often involves addressing structural, neurological, and biomechanical factors together.

10. What treatment options are available besides surgery?

Many conditions respond well to non-surgical or minimally invasive care, including interventional pain management, regenerative medicine, neuromodulation, and targeted rehabilitation strategies. Surgery is considered only when clearly indicated.

11. How do you decide if surgery is necessary?

Surgery is recommended only when symptoms correlate with identifiable structural problems and non-surgical options have been exhausted or are unlikely to succeed. Decisions are made collaboratively with a clear explanation of risks, benefits, and alternatives.

12. Is regenerative medicine right for everyone?

No. Regenerative therapies such as PRP or stem cell treatment are not appropriate for all conditions or patients. A thorough evaluation helps determine whether these options are safe, reasonable, and likely to be beneficial.

13. What should I bring to my first appointment?

Patients are encouraged to bring prior medical records, imaging reports, medication lists, and details about past treatments. This helps avoid repetition and supports faster, more accurate evaluation.

14. Does insurance cover injury treatment and diagnostic testing?

Coverage varies by insurance plan and service type. Many evaluations and treatments are covered, while others may require authorization. The care team can help verify benefits and explain coverage options.

15. What makes your injury treatment center different from a typical pain clinic?

Southern California Injury Treatment Center is a comprehensive injury treatment center that goes beyond symptom management by integrating diagnostics, neurology, pain management, orthopedics, and advanced procedures in one coordinated system. This approach improves accuracy, efficiency, and long-term outcomes.